Standing Up and Using a Strap
by Phil Leadbetter

Well, here it is the first of August. Hope you have been having a great summer. It's been a great summer for picking, no doubt, with so many festivals and outdoor bluegrass events going on. When you decide to get out of the house with that resonator guitar and hit the jam sessions, you are going to have to get off the couch. In most situations, this will require you to stand while playing your guitar. I've not been to very many jam sessions where chairs were available so if you don't have a strap, it's time to think about getting one. There are many great straps out there, and this month we will discuss the best brands and the proper way to use them.

I always use a strap, even when I am sitting down, simply because it helps to keep the guitar in the proper position at all times. In other words, when I go from sitting to standing, the guitar will remain in the same position. This is really good because it doesn't change the "feel" of the instrument. Without a strap, it's easy to let the guitar slide out and away from your body toward your knees. This causes your arms to extend toward the guitar. Then, when you stand up, your arms take on a new position because the guitar will then rest against the trunk of your body, closer to you. If you use a strap while sitting, this will not happen; i.e. the instrument will always be the same distance from your body and your arm and hand positions will remain the same.

What to Look for in a Strap

There are several important factors to consider when buying a strap. Some are fairly inexpensive, and others can be very costly. The features to look for are comfort, durability, flexibility and simplicity. A comfortable strap should be soft and flexible so it doesn't put undue pressure on your shoulders, neck or forearms. I have used straps in the past that were so rigid that they would not flex at the point they passed around my neck and over my shoulder. After about 15 minutes of this, I was ready to get the things off of me!

A rigid or poorly adjusted strap can also cause neck problems due to the number of nerves that exit the cervical spine in the area where the shoulders meet the neck. Strap pressure can actually injure nerves. This can cause tingling in the fingers or even worse symptoms with continued use. Cloth straps are really comfortable as they contour themselves to the neck and shoulder area. I also like a strap that is at least 3-4 inches wide where it passes over the shoulder and neck. The extra width helps to distribute the weight of the guitar over the shoulder area.

A company called Webb Straps makes a really good strap. Webb straps are wide at the neck and back area, but very thin after they clear your shoulder. The thinness of a strap in this area gives your left arm more space to move which in return lets you play with fewer obstructions. At this writing Webb Straps sell for around $50.00, and can be found wherever resonator guitar supplies are sold. I will list a few website sources at the end of this column. Webb straps can also be purchased from First Quality Musical Supply www.fqms.com.

I have been using a high-end leather strap for the past two years. What I mean by "high end" is that it is a custom-made strap. The strap I use is called a Poffmaker Strap. These straps are custom made for each player, and are based on a players measurements. No two straps are alike. In my opinion, Poffmaker Straps are the best straps being made today. They aren't cheap, but they are the best straps you will ever own and so the last strap you will ever need to purchase. More info on these great straps can be found at www.rpoffmaker.com.

One feature I like about both of these straps is their "quick connect" buckles. The quick connect feature is a strap connection which attaches to the headstock of the guitar by means of a quick-release snap buckle. When you get ready to attach your strap, it can be easily and quickly connected to the guitar without having to be rethreaded through the headstock or tied. Webb and Poffmaker straps are quick and easy to use and allow you to easily change straps from one guitar to another. This feature also makes it easy to remove the strap when putting the guitar in the case. I think a quick connect system is a "must have" feature in a good strap.

I also think it is important to have a "strap lock" which connects the strap to the body of the guitar securely. I have had several guitars come loose from straps in years past, with heart-sickening damage from falling to the floor. With a resonator guitar, you are constantly putting downward pressure on the instrument while playing. Unlike a banjo or guitar where your hands and forearm may lightly support the instrument or catch it if the strap comes off the button, resonator guitars can get loose very quick and your have nothing to hold onto. So, a strap lock is one of the best investments you can make. They cost less than $10.00 but can save a lot of heartaches and repair bills. Many of the better straps have locking features that are built right into the strap. Either way, find something that will offer you a safety barrier by having an extra connection to the endpin of the guitar. You'll be glad you did! My advice is to look around and see what best suits your needs and your budget. Remember, a strap can serve as a safety net for your guitar. If you have a nice guitar, then invest in a nice strap!

WEARING A STRAP

Straps can be worn in several different ways. Some players simply let the strap come from the headstock, around their neck, and then down to the endpin of the guitar. This style puts a lot of pressure on your neck, and can cause pain after a short time. The advantage to this style is that it frees up the right arm to play palm harmonics. Many players wrap the strap around the right forearm. This is done by letting the strap come over the back of the neck, pass under the right forearm, then taking the right forearm and crossing it back under the strap. In this position, the strap will pass under the right arm then pass back across the top of the forearm. This method helps to "lock" the guitar in a certain position and gives you better control of the instrument while playing. I have always preferred this method, but it is all a matter of preference.

Now that you have learned the proper way to use that strap, there's no excuse to stay on that couch. Get out and pick! There's a lot of fun waiting for you. Hope the rest of your summer is a great one.

See you in September,
Phil Leadbetter

P.S. A few great sites to shop for a strap or other resonator guitar-related items:

First Quality Music www.fqms.com
Resophonic Outfitters: www.beardguitars.com
Poffmaker Custom Straps: www.rpoffmaker.com
Elderly Instruments: www.elderly.com

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Phil Leadbetter's very busy 2006 performance schedule with the award-winning bluegrass group Wildfire can be found at: http://www.wildfireband.com/Wildfire/schedule.htm

For a comprehensive biography and discography, please see Phil Leadbetter's website at: http://www.unclephilonline.com/ and the Wildfire website at: http://www.wildfireband.com/Wildfire/bio.htm